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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Warhorse have released a much-requested update for the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance. The update brings with it a sorely needed fresh coat of paint to the game, and while I didn’t enjoy Deliverance as much as Deliverance II, returning to Deliverance shows how far developer Warhorse has come as a developer. This is far and away the best way to play the first Kingdom Come, and when coupled with the numerous updates this update brings, it is one of the best-looking ways to play as well.
This update brings with it native ports for the Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro which boast PC configuration specs in line with those on the Ultra setting on PC. Those looking for a meatier graphical update won’t be disappointed. These upgraded versions of Kingdom Come: Deliverance feature FSR upscaling and anti-aliasing, higher-resolution textures, and support for up to 4K. Depending on your platform, you’ll also be able to run the game at up to sixty frames per second. There’s also now a Japanese voice-over, or, if you’re chasing authenticity, a Czech voice-over too.
If you enjoyed Deliverance II last year, you’ll find something to enjoy in the original Deliverance, though be warned, its opening hours are very different to the sequel. Holding back nothing, Deliverance tasks you with living the life of a much less experienced Henry. He can’t read, he can’t fight, and he can barely talk his way out of a bad situation. As a result, it’s a much slower-paced game, and one of my main frustrations was that much of my progress is wiped out by bugs and restarts. Now, Deliverance is still the same – a slow and gruelling start – but the technical underpinnings of all its systems are much more robust and sound, making things much less frustrating and no lost progress thanks to said bugs and crashes.
Though the biggest change I totally forgot about was how Deliverance handles its combat when compared to Deliverance II. Deliverance has a much more complicated combat system, though some will argue whether it’s better or worse than Deliverance II. You have five slashes and two stab types when fighting in the original Deliverance, and there is no dedicated dodge button, but instead a manoeuvre you need to input at the right time. The result is a combat system that feels a lot more difficult to master, but as a result, it is a lot more satisfying when you come back out of a battle victorious.
But those who liked Deliverance II may be more prepared for the more brutal simulation experience that the original Deliverance offers. It’s a game where many systems require your attention – including hunger, sleep, hygiene, the condition of your gear, reputation, and presentation – all of which play a part in how the world reacts to you. This was the core of Deliverance II as well, though you really have to engage with and commit to these systems a lot more in the original Deliverance than in Deliverance II. It’s a much fiddlier game than Deliverance II, and those looking for a more “hardcore” experience will find that by revisiting the first Deliverance.
But it’s that more hardcore experience that lends to a better sense of immersion in Deliverance when compared with Deliverance II. The slow-burn progression errs more toward immersion, requiring you to really put in the time to understand the systems underpinning everything. You can easily spend a single session just learning about the alchemy system or honing your swordcraft. But when you do come out of said sessions, you’ll feel you have really achieved something. And that’s what really sets Deliverance apart from Deliverance II. It’s just a whole lot more satisfying.
Ultimately, while I will always adore Deliverance II, the updates Warhorse has given it have made me appreciate it more than I did back in the day. Now, with an added coat of fresh paint, there’s never a better time to jump back in. This next-gen update feels like the definitive version of Deliverance, smoothing over many of the rough edges that marred my experience. Regardless of which game you prefer, it’s hard to deny that any game comes close to touching the sense of immersion that the Kingdom Come games do. As such, it’s great that, on a technical level, Deliverance can now stand confidently alongside Deliverance II.
The next generation update for Kingdom Come: Deliverance is out now as a free update for existing owners.
New players can now purchase the game for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in a Standard or Royal Edition separately.
